Finished front-yard driveway and turf walkthrough
Walkthrough of the completed paver driveway, curved entry walk, retaining wall, artificial turf terrace, planting beds, and finished front-yard details.
A San Carlos Front Yard, Replumbed to Slope
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After project of the Landscape Design & Build in San Diego, CA 92119
San Diego Front Yard Landscaping (San Carlos) After
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Project Snapshot
Location
San Carlos, San Diego (92119)
Style
Modern
Timeline
1 week design • 11 build days
Price Range
$55k-$60k
Project Story
Overview
Cut a new entry axis into a failing sloped San Carlos front yard: paver driveway apron and walkway, a fresh retaining wall with steps, a catch-basin and underdrain network feeding the curb, and a small turf accent. Low-glare LED path lights finish the modern approach, replacing erosion and runoff with a clean, walkable entry.
The new walkway and steps make the front of the house feel like a real entry instead of a slope.
The Challenge
- Water pools at the porch after rain because there are no catch basins or underdrain — both added in this scope.
- The concrete driveway and entry walk are cracked, with no defined edge between yard and hardscape.
- The unpaved planting strip drives constant maintenance and tracks mud inside through the front door.
What Changed
Usable hardscape increased from 820 sf → 1313 sf. Surfaces now drain along a code-compliant slope: a minimum 2% pitch away from the porch and home interface, tapering to 1–1.5% across the rest of the hardscape, directing water into the catch basins and 4″ underdrain; no standing water at the threshold after a five-minute hose test. Night lighting improves safe access and evening use.
How INSTALL-IT-DIRECT Helped
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Design & Build
The Plan
Increase usable hardscape to 1313 sf, create a wider landing and aligned steps to the front door
Regrade surfaces to meet CRC R401.3 drainage standards: maintain a minimum 2% slope away from the home at the porch and entry interface, then taper to approximately 1–1.5% across the rest of the front yard hardscape. Install (2) NDS catch basins tied to a 3″ triple-wall perforated underdrain with sleeve at the wall toe, discharging to a curb pop-up emitter approved by the City of San Diego.
Aesthetics: Belgard Catalina Grana with Charcoal soldier course; Melville™ “Sterling” wall
Lighting: 2700K low-glare path and wall lights; single 150 W transformer
See the 2D plan drawing
The Build
Phasing
Demo and haul → base and compaction → drainage rough-in → wall footing/courses → paver field/border → edge restraint/polymeric → lighting set/aim → punch → cleanup
Key Inspections
• Verified that the 2% drainage slope away from the porch met CRC R401.3 requirements before paving installation. • City of San Diego ROW curb-discharge location approved 09/12 • HOA finish approval (neutral palette, low-glare lighting) 08/28 • Final walkthrough complete 09/18
Utilities
• 3″ triple-wall perforated underdrain with sleeve to curb pop-up emitter • Low-voltage lighting installed per NEC Article 411 using UL-listed FX Luminaire components, with conductors run in ¾″ conduit and proper burial depth maintained. Powered by a 150W transformer located at the side yard. • Downspouts tied into catch basins at walkway low points
Project Videos
Investment
What would a similar project cost in San Diego?
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Pavers (1,313 sf field + soldier course + base + jointing)
$22,000 – $24,000
Walls / Steps (Melville Sterling 42 LF, splitface cap)
$12,000 – $13,000
Drainage (2 NDS basins, 38 LF perforated underdrain, curb pop-up emitter)
$8,500 – $9,000
Lighting (FX Luminaire path B11 ×6, wall LF ×2, 150 W transformer)
$3,500 – $4,000
Turf, Planting, Demo, Site Work
$9,000 – $10,000
Estimated Total
Frequently Asked Questions
Did this require permits in San Diego?
No. The exposed wall stayed under 36″ and no gas hardlines were modified. We did confirm the ROW discharge location with the City.
How did you increase usable space on a small sloped front yard?
We terraced the slope with a low Melville wall, widened the landing, and created one large pad—net +480 sf.
What maintenance is needed for these pavers?
Blow debris, occasional rinse, top up polymeric if joints open, and optional light clean/seal every 2–3 years.
What solved the puddling near the porch?
We solved it by grading the entry landing to maintain a code-compliant minimum 2% slope away from the porch (CRC R401.3), then tapering to ~1–1.5% across the front yard pad. Water is now captured by (2) catch basins connected to a 3″ triple-wall perforated underdrain with sleeve and discharged at a curb pop-up emitter.
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1
Design
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2
Build
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3
Enjoy
Step into your transformed outdoor space and start making memories with family and friends.
Your Project Manager
Patrick Diehl
Born and raised in San Diego, Patrick has managed residential, commercial, and high-rise builds, with a specialty in hardscape. A licensed real-estate agent and certified home inspector, he's committed to delivering every project with quality, compliance, and on-time results.
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